President Bola Tinubu on Thursday presided over the second National Council of State meeting since taking office, a session notably marked by the absence of key former Nigerian leaders, including Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and General Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
Held in a hybrid format at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the meeting gathered a mix of current national leaders, governors, and top officials to deliberate on pressing national issues.
Former military Heads of State, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, participated virtually, while several sitting governors and senior government officials attended in person.
Central to the discussions was the anticipated appointment of a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the imminent departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Security concerns and preparations for the 2027 general elections also featured prominently on the agenda.
The Council of State, established under the 1999 Constitution, serves as a crucial advisory body to the President on matters including security, national unity, and institutional governance. The meeting was followed by a Nigeria Police Council session, focusing on strengthening internal security through strategic police appointments and reforms.
By tradition, the Council acts as a unifying platform where elder statesmen and institutional leaders provide counsel aimed at preserving Nigeria’s stability and democratic progress.
